Pages Navigation Menu

God will come through—just let Him

Posted by on Mar 4, 2014 in Help from God | Comments Off on God will come through—just let Him

After I finally conquered the task of shutting off the water to my house, I entered into the world of living without running water. Needless to say, first on my to-do list for Monday morning was to find a plumber.

Who would’ve thought that every company I called would be booked until Thursday or Friday? But I was in the “trust-God” mode now, and while praying over Angie’s List, I saw a company with “A” after “A”—along with three “F”s. As I read the negative reviews, they seemed picky to me, so I took the plunge on that plumbing company. Yes, they could come today—the plumber would be here in an hour. I was committed.

The young man called to say he would arrive in twenty minutes, and the voice I heard was kind, confident, and very polite. I sensed that God had directed me.

With the knock on the door, I opened to the plumber who was standing back from the door respectfully with his ID held for me to see it clearly. And he looked like a gang-banger.

But there was that voice again—kind, confident, and polite—and without hesitation, I showed him in and nolvadex overnight delivery downstairs to the flood site.

Long story short, this young man treated my situation like a detective mystery. His enthusiasm at solving my problem was contagious; he thought aloud as he tinkered under my kitchen sink and respectfully consulted with me as to where I was comfortable with him opening the wall. He even spoke with my contractor on the phone about the pipes and possible diagnoses for the leak. While they were talking, I took the opportunity to pray in tongues under my breath for wisdom and supernatural direction.

After the phone call, he was about to cut a hole in my living room wall to access the pipes behind the kitchen sink when he stopped abruptly, rechecked under the sink, and said, “I don’t think I should cut here. Let’s go back to the basement.”

And what do you know, but with the very first cut into my ceiling he found the problem! An errant trim nail had pierced a copper pipe and served as a plug for a couple of years until corrosion finally ate away enough metal to allow water to escape. Of course, replacing the pipe in the tight place where the leak occurred was tricky, but with positive enthusiasm he tackled the problem and cleanly replaced the pipe.

He worked for three straight hours and thoroughly cleaned up after himself. Throughout the entire process, he maintained that contagious joy about solving plumbing mysteries. And when it came time to for me to pay the bill, he charged me for only two hours and the piece of pipe he used to patch the leak.

God had come through for me yet again. And to think that just the day before I had flown into a frenzy, letting my circumstances rob my joy! But thank God, I allowed Him to convict me and acquista cenforce 100mg address my unbelief and panic; and when I repented, His peace returned like a blanket covering my heart and mind.

And as for judging a book by its cover—despite his appearance, this young man was God’s choice for the job. My pastor often says, “Keep the main deal the main deal.” And the main deal here was for me to seek God, resist panic, let Him lead my decisions, and to allow His peace to act as an umpire in my heart, deciding and settling with finality all the questions that arose in my mind (see Colossians 3:15, AMP).

When you keep the main deal the main deal and resist the onslaught of all the screaming lesser deals, then God can come through for you every time.

Dorothy

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15

Read More

Catch up

Posted by on Mar 3, 2014 in Updates | Comments Off on Catch up

Is it ever good to be back to writing! Through writing I have discovered what 1924 Olympic gold medalist Eric Liddell meant when he said, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure” (Chariots of Fire, 1981). When I write, I feel His pleasure.

I took the last three weeks off from the blog here at www.FirstOfAllPray.com to play catch up in a few areas of my life, particularly taxes and deep housecleaning. After completing the writings on the book of James, I was unsure of the Lord’s leading for my next writing project, and since taxes were looming (hello, April 15) and the house was bulging with various and sundry items conveniently misplaced in terribly inconvenient places, I knew that Uncle Sam, my house, and my mind needed my attention drawn to less spiritual and nolvadex overnight delivery more mundane activities. And, bonus—sometimes I can hear the Holy Spirit more clearly when pursuing commonplace tasks.

As it stands now, the house looks much better, glory to God; I have direction for the next phase of the blog; but as for taxes…I’ve completed the federal, but still have the state to play with. More fun to come!

It’s funny how our plans can be interrupted at the drop of a hat. The first Sunday morning of my break—with three weeks ahead of me to organize papers, figure taxes, and bring order to the chaos in my house—I went downstairs before church to scoop the three litter pans I set up for the herd of cats living here.

Each litter box was surrounded by gigantic puddles. Who peed the big one?! I fumed as I was pummeled by irritation mixed with concern at the veterinary implications of such an active feline bladder. And then I saw it—water was trickling down the wall from the ceiling. Relief flooded the pet owner/trainer part of me while panic invaded the homeowner/anti-mold crusader/financier aspect of my being.

I ran to the internet to learn how to shut off the water to my house. Turn the faucet near the water meter counterclockwise it said. Nothing. I called one of the premier plumbing conglomerates in the area. Yes, I was told, counterclockwise is correct. Again, nothing. I put in a nearly hysterical call to the man who remodeled my home a few years ago and left a message—How do I turn off this water!!? Picturing him at church worshiping God, I thought Come on, man! Pick up the phone!  Although I was still in my church clothes, I certainly wasn’t being spiritual. I ended up asking the Lord for forgiveness—and told the devil, Yes, I did say that [censored]—but I’ve talked to God about it and He forgave me, so you lose anyway! Bug off, in Jesus’ name!

When my contractor called back (and I never did make it to church), he set the record straight; just as I suspected, you turn the faucet handle clockwise. I guess I thought the water would stop automatically—what do I know?—but he advised me to turn the basement bathroom faucets on full blast to hasten the whole deal. Sure enough, it started emptying the water from all of the pipes, and the trickle of water down the wall finally stopped. Remember this word of wisdom: Righty-tighty, lefty-loosy. It’s the law. Forever and ever, Amen. No matter what the internet says.

After splashing clean-up bleach on my new black top (forgot to change it before I started cleaning) and saturating my fuzzy leopard slippers with water from the Great Basement Flood of ’14, the peace of God nonetheless resettled upon my mind and heart. I had confidence that somehow this inauspicious beginning to my three-week break would work together for good and God would prove Himself to me all over again. This—peace in the midst of the maddeningly mundane along with expectation of turn-around in the middle of chaos—is poised and ever-ready to be accessed by every child of God who needs it.

And sure enough, God did come through for me, granting a good outcome—better than expected—and He revealed sparkling slivers of His wisdom in the very thick of it.

I’ll share more about it in the blog this week.

Until then,

Dorothy

Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord, and whom You teach out of Your law (NASB); that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is dug for the wicked (Amplified; emphasis added). For the Lord will not abandon His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance (NASB). Psalm 94:12-14

Read More

A break

Posted by on Feb 10, 2014 in Updates | Comments Off on A break

Hi! I hope all of you are well as you press on in God. It amazes me to think that I have been writing this blog for the past eight months—with nearly 190 posts! And the more I write, the more I realize that I’ve hardly scratched the surface of His infinite, intricate wisdom. He is so vast and australia flagyl immeasurable, yet He has chosen to dwell among us and call us His own through His Son Jesus Christ. The more I gaze at Him, the more humungous He is to me and the smaller I become to myself. But that’s not a bad thing—first, because it’s true; and second, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. The majestic God of the universe delights in me—little, speck-of-dust me—and masterminded the most significant turning point of the ages to conquer sin, Satan, and the grave on my behalf. Wow! And He did the same for you. Bask in it. Rejoice heartily because of it!

I will be taking a three-week break from the website. In my absence, I’m leaving some sites I visit frequently. (Yes, I was a school teacher; these are sub plans.) The links are various daily devotionals from different denominations and perspectives. I have found gems on each site.

Some of the sites have advertising; I do not endorse everything on these sites, including the ads. Nor do I necessarily agree with everything I read in each entry. However, I believe that you, my readers, have discernment, Bible understanding, and wisdom sufficient to “have as much sense as an old cow—eat the hay and spit out the stubble.”

I plan to return to active duty on this site on Monday, March 3, by the grace of God. Until then, may you be blessed as you continue to persist in faith, devouring the Word, and seeking the face of God.

Dorothy

See you in March!

Read More

The taxman cometh

Posted by on Jan 22, 2014 in Finances | Comments Off on The taxman cometh

I’d like to interrupt the series on the book of James to bring a word concerning our friends at the IRS. As you know, tax day is approaching, and you will once again be reminded of the fact that a hefty chunk of your income, representing the work of your hands, is taken from your account every year so that our government and its programs can continue unimpeded. For a look at some of the “greatest” projects, here’s a link to Oklahoma Senator Tom Colburn’s “Wastebook 2011″ (link opens PDF file).

Jesus paid taxes. Even though He knew that He and His disciples were being illegally taxed, He told Peter, “However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me” (Matthew 17:27). Jesus came to the earth to save us from our sins, not from taxes. He understood His mission and refused to be distracted by lesser battles. However, throughout history He has appointed and anointed individuals to address the excesses and lawlessness of their governments. Men and women confronting such issues in our time need our prayer coverage.

Fun with the IRS

In 2006, I received a notification that my 2003 tax return was under full audit. Along with the menacing letter was a dire warning to send either my check for an exorbitant amount immediately, or to send all of my tax documentation to the IRS for their inspection. They enclosed a business envelope in which to enclose my mountainous pile of documents. Yeah, right. I panicked. And then I prayed.

A friend from church worked at the IRS. I trusted her and gave her a call. I could tell by her normally upbeat voice that she was alarmed for me. “Get a face-to-face audit. That way you can walk in with your documents and keep your eyes on all of them. And when you sit down to go over everything, don’t offer any information. Just ask, ‘What would you like to see?’ and only show them that. Don’t offer anything they don’t ask for.”

After hours and hours on the phone with their recording (was it my imagination, or was I listening to a scratchy old Victrola?) and talking to this agent and that, I finally managed to secure a face-to-face. And it was scheduled to happen in four months. Miracle number one: Time. To organize; to pray.

It’s good to have a place where you put all the things you’ll need for your taxes, whether it’s a file, a box, or a drawer. It doesn’t matter if you do them yourself or you take them to someone else, you need to know where you’re putting your information.

My stuff wasn’t entirely organized, but it was in one place. Since I’m old-school and do my taxes myself, no one else was involved in the process. During my four-month preparation time, I got everything arranged and labeled. And I prayed.

The day came for my face-to-face. I sensed my agent was a Christian. Miracle number two. The meeting lasted for at least a couple of hours as she scrutinized every bit of paperwork I gave her. Every line on my tax return was examined. Every scrap of documentation rode in her hands to the official IRS copy machine. Even though I figured she was a Christian, I kept my eye on every piece of evidence.

After some probing questions, she handed me a document which she signed, declaring me cleared by the IRS. I didn’t have to pay a dime. Miracle number three.

I nearly danced out the door and across the parking lot, waving the letter in the air like a hanky. I was free from government scrutiny. Or so I thought.

A couple of weeks later, I received a letter from my state declaring that they had received notice of my audit and they wanted me to pay over $700 to them immediately. What?!

I whipped off a letter to the state, informing them that they would be thrilled to learn that I had been cleared by the IRS, agent #XYZ, from any further investigation and that my taxes were found to be accurate and complete, without any need for additional payments. I included a copy of my victory letter from the IRS.

I received a second letter from the state a few weeks later. Yes, they had received my letter, and I owed them over $700. I could feel the steam pouring out of my collar and ears.

But in the mail that day was also a newsletter from my state representative. On the back of his letter was a form for constituents to fill out if they had any questions. Well, I had one big question. How do I get the Department of Revenue off of my back? I wrote my saga on that form and asked him to explain why the state would demand money from me when the IRS had cleared me. This would prove to be the beginning of miracle number four.

After that, a series of interesting things happened. I received a letter from my rep, a Democrat (I’m a fairly die-hard conservative Republican), telling me that he called the Department of Revenue to plead my case. He said they wouldn’t give him any information due to privacy issues (more like extortion issues, I thought), but he was trying to help me. What a great Democrat! 🙂 And then the very next day when I got home from work, I had two phone messages from the state capital—one from my favorite Democrat, letting me know again that he was going to bat for me, and the other from the Department of Revenue, declaring that they found my state tax return to be complete and accurate; I owed nothing. Miracle number five.

No matter what the tight place may be in which you find yourself, God will make a way. I pray that you stand steady and strong, trusting God to come through for you in every aspect of your life—even when it comes to the IRS and the Department of Revenue!

Dorothy

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7

Read More

Fasting points

Posted by on Jan 3, 2014 in Fasting | Comments Off on Fasting points

Around the world, believers are answering the call to fast. My church is also being called to a fast this month. I have a sense of anticipation concerning this; I believe that more and more Christians are hungering for God in an ever-increasing way, and they are growing in boldness and the desire to see righteousness exalted in their families, neighborhoods, cities, churches, nation, and in their personal lives.

When I consider what God built in the United States through faithful prayer and fasting on the part of humble American citizens (see yesterday’s blog), I believe that He is capable of doing it again. I believe He is willing to reach into lives and decisions and behaviors—on both the micro and the macro level—and bring about repentance and change. All He needs is a people humble enough and hungry enough to ask Him.

As you enter your fast, spend time reading Isaiah 58. This chapter is the classic “dos and don’ts” chapter about fasting, and it outlines the over-the-top blessings that spring forth from doing it in an honorable way. When you read it, make note of every promise associated with fasting. These promises belong to anyone who fasts with the right heart. These promises belong to you.

My pastor spoke to the church recently about fasting. I gleaned the following comments from what he said.

  • Fasting is a determined effort on your part to put aside time to seek God. By fasting, you are going to God and saying, “God, You’re the sustenance of my life.” This is what you are saying whether you fast one meal, for one day, for three days, or more. This is what you are saying if you enter a Daniel fast, as well.
  • When you fast, you are setting yourself aside to get deliberate and intentional about your spiritual walk. Fasting clears the air and enables you to position yourself to hear from God about specific things in your life, such as your career, your family, or your children. As you hear from God, then go after those things in prayer as you fast.
  • Jesus discussed three spiritual disciplines in Matthew 6:2-18, giving, praying, and fasting. Of each He said when you give; when you pray; and when you fast. He did not use the word “if”—even with fasting. Giving and praying are fundamental aspects of Christian living; Jesus’ message makes it clear that fasting is also an important discipline.
  • Trust God for breakthrough when you fast. Isaiah 58:6 asks, “Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?” Because the Word declares that yokes break when you enter a fast the way God prescribes, then you can expect that bondages in the lives of those for whom you pray will break when you fast. Isaiah also said, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing” (Isaiah 10:27). The anointing of God breaks yokes of bondage; fasting breaks yokes of bondage. Therefore, a logical conclusion would be that fasting according to the direction of God will bring God’s anointing.
  • Fasting is spiritually powerful. The Word does not say if you fast; it clearly states when you fast. That said, fasting is not to be entered into as a legalistic ritual; your motives for fasting are a key to the outcome of your fasting. Make sure you enter your fast for the right reasons, with a good heart, and not to draw attention to yourself. God will help you with your motives as you seek Him.
  • Nehemiah fasted when he heard of the distress and decay in Jerusalem. Daniel is known for the approach he took to fasting—eating vegetables and drinking water (see Daniel 1:12 and 10:3), and the apostle Paul fasted often. Following Paul’s unusual conversion experience, he fasted for three days (see Acts 9:9). While he and other leaders fasted in Acts 13, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (verse 2), launching the men into groundbreaking missionary work. Paul also fasted, along with Barnabas, when they appointed elders in the churches they started, praying over these men and commending them to the Lord (see Acts 14:23).
  • Jesus also fasted. After He was baptized by John in the Jordan River, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry” (Matthew 4:1-2). This forty-day fast ended with Jesus successfully resisting every temptation thrown at Him by the devil (see Matthew 4:3-11 and Luke 4:3-13), and launched Him into the world-changing ministry that would culminate with His sacrificial death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection. After the Lord’s fast, Luke’s account declares that “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district” (Luke 4:14).  Jesus’ fast accompanied four key breakthroughs: 1.) The successful resistance of powerful temptations posed by the devil himself; 2.) The launch of His ministry; 3.) When He returned to Galilee, it was in the power of the Spirit; 4.) News of Him spread far and wide—without a man-directed PR machine.

In summary:

  • Fasting is a New Testament practice still valid today.
  • Fasting is a way to set time aside to seek God.
  • Fasting breaks yokes and bondages off of the people and situations for which you pray.
  • You are to take care to fast with the right motives.
  • Men and women in both the Old and New Testament fasted.
  • Emptying your table through fasting sets your table for receiving direction from God and the power to follow through.

I’d like to thank my pastor for the outline I borrowed from notes taken during his message. May God bless all of you as you set aside time to seek Him this month.

Dorothy

 

Read More